Beet lifter



Sept. 28, l1943. C; T, RASMUSSEN ET AL 2,330,743

BEET LIFTER Y INVENTo S CLARENCE T. RASMUS EN 8I I ROBE@ f GRIF Sept. 28, 1943. c. T. RAsMU'ssEN E'r AL, 2,330,743

` BEET LIFTER Filed Aug. 28, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 28,4 1943 BEET LIFTER .Clarence T. Rasmussen, Moline, and Robert D.

Griff, Rock Island, Ill., assignors to Deere & Company, Molineflll., a corporation of Illinois Application August 28, 1941, Serial No. 408,586 t 19 Claims.

This invention relates generally to agricultural implements and more particularly to machines for harvesting sugar beets and other root crops.

The object and general nature of the present invention is the provision of an agricultural iml plement in which a tool is connected for lateral movement to draft means and in which the reaction of the soil pressure on the tool is transmitted, at least in part, to said draft means by means accommodating said lateral movement. A further feature of this` invention is the provision of an agricultural i implement which is particularly adapted to be mounted on a Afarm tractor, generally at the rear thereof so as to be capable of generally lateral movement about a virtual hitch point disposed substantially at the front end of the tractor. Another feature oi this invention is the provision of a harvester, such as a beet puller or lifter, adapted for mounting on a farm tractor' and especially adapted to accommodate variations in the lateral spacing or position of the row of plants being harvested. Further, it is a feature of this invention to provide improved means by which the lateral positioncf the implement, or at least the working portion thereof, may be conveniently and easily adjusted relative to the tractor. Another feature of this invention is the provision of improved lifting means whereby either a hand lift or a power lift may be accommodated. Still further, another feature of this invention is the provision of improved frame means, particularly adapted to be carried on a tractor in the proper laterally These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a` consideration ofthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which*` i Figure 1 is a plan view of a beet lifter of th tractor mounted integral type, in whichthe principles of the present invention have` been incorporated;

Figure 2 is a side view of the implement shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view, showing the details `of the swinging link yconnection between the tool frame and the draft frame;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section taken through the tool frame and associated parts, vgenerally along the line li-fi of Figure 1; i

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of the left hand tractor-carried supporting bracket on which the rockable `lifting shaft ispivoted; 1

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view of the hand lift arrangement which may be used instead of the power lift mechanism shown in Figure 2; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view illustrating the manner in which implement draft frame may be adjusted laterally relative to the tractor.

` Referring now to the drawings, more particularly Figures l and 2, the tractor is indicated in its entirety by the reference character T and is of conventional construction, embodying a motor l, a transmission case 2, a rear axle housing 3 having extensions li in which axle shafts 5 are journaled.Y Rear traction wheels iare fixed to the axle shafts 5 and maybe adjusted along thelatter to different positions, according 'to row spacing and other operating conditions.

The implement which we haye chosen to illustrate the principles of thepresent invention is a beet puller or lifter, indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral lll. The implement Il! includes a draft frame Il, preferably made up of a pair of generally longitudinally extending members l2 and I3, the latter having a laterally inwardly directed section i4 (Figures l and 3) which extends `perpendicular to thel main -portion `of the member i3. The frame ll also includes a pair of transverse bars Il and i8 disposed one above the other, the bar I8 being wider than the bar Il as best `shown in Figures 3 and 4. The ends of the bars il and i8 are welded to the rear end of the longitudinal bar l2 and to the laterally directed section ill of the member i3 so as inform, in general, an Lshapedframe- The forward ends of the frame lbars I2 and I3 are apertured to receive a pivot shaftv 2| carried at the lower and forward ends of a pair of brackets 22 and 23, the rear ends of which are fixed, as by ivweiding, to an attaching plate or bracket 24 having openings therein to receive the usual tractor stud bolts 25, provided on the tractor to receive implements and secure thesame 'in place. As best shown in Figure 2 the ends of the brackets 22 and 23 extend downwardly and forwardly to points forward of the rear axle extensions il. A brace 2l extends forwardly from the pivotshaft 2iq and receives a4 bolt or. other fastening 28 by `which the brace is secured to the frameof the tractorT.

The operating u nit of the implement is indi-` cated in its entirety bythe reference numeral 30 and comprises a frame 3l to which a pair of downwardly and forwardly extending beams 32 are connected. The implementframe 3| comprises a pair of longitudinal bars 315i and 35 which are connected, as by'welding, at their forward ends to a front cross bar 36. The rear ends of the longitudinal bars 34 and 35 are fixed, as by Welding, toa rear cross member 3l, preferably in theform of a pair of angles 38 and 39 (Figure 4) Welded together to form a hollow member of rectangular cross section in which the laterally I.draft frame I.I

inturned ends 42 of the beams 32 are disposed. The ends 4.2 are adapted to be inserted through openings in the ends of the bars '3'4 and 3:5 land into opposite ends of the hollow cross bar 31, in which they are fastened by set screws 43. The

tool beams 32 are bent to extend forwardly,

downwardly and inwardly, as best shown in Figure l, and at their respective lower ends A.are provided with suitable beet engaging and lifting points or shoes 65. A pair of braces '46 are :provided with eyes 4'! at their rear ends disposed about the lower portions of the beams Til-as 'best shown in Figure 2, and the forward ends .of the braces 46 are threaded, as at B9, to receive a pair of lock nuts 5I. The threaded ends *49 of 'the braces 4:6 qextend through 'openings 52 (Figure 8) formed in laterally Voutwardly extending angled sections 53 of the 'cross l'ba-r 56, the sections 53 of the bar -36 being bent y'so as to dispose the rodreceiving portions thereof in a plane substar-itially perpendicular to the 'braces 4%. A beet puller or lifting unit `of this general'construction lis-shown 'in the prior Patent 2,1l9,835 to Miles Tuft, dated June 7, T938, to which reference may be had if necessary.

rThe implement Yframe 3-I is vconnected for -genera-ily laterally shifting movement with ythe main or draft frame I -I `of the implement xby means Aof a pair of nearly parallel link rmembers 55 and E56.

The link members `55 kand-5 'are preferably identical and hence a description of one will suffice. Referring now -more particularly to Figures 8 and 4, ythe link member `5"5 is made up of a ypair of vertically spaced strap members 51 4and 58. A pair of studs or pivot pins, indicated by the reference numerals -61I and 62, is Irigidly secured to the lower strap I58 by any suitable means, such as by welding l653, and the upper strap member 5Fl is apertured as at 63 and 6# :so as -to receive the upper ends of the vstuds (ifi and 52. The latter members are aper-tured to receive cotters 265. lIhe other link Imember 55 fof like construction.

En order to attach the link members i5'5 and 5&5 to the frame of the lifting unit, lugs 68 and '69 (Figure v4.) iare welded lor otherwise secured to theeross member 31 =at the -rear-of the implement. The lugs 58 and 5S are `apertured to `receive the stud-s 6I, and si-noe there are two llink members '-55 and 5S, -two sets lof lugs -or brackets '68, 169 are provided, as best shown Figure l. The forward ends of the links 55 and -55 are connected with the cross ybars I'I and lI8 of the vmain fra-Ine .II by providing openings L'I-I and 12 the -cross members H and I8 vof the frame 1I I, to receive the studs G2. each of the link vmembers 55- and 56 consists of a pair of vertically spaced-strap members between which the lifting `frame bar 36 extends, closely adjacent the front cross bars 421 and i8 lof the The lfront cross ba-r 36 .of the implement frame SI lis apertured to receive a `pair of pins or studs 1B and 11, which preferably are welded at their rear ends tothe :bar 35. (Figure 3,). The pins 'I6 Iand 'I'I lie .between the upper .and lower cross bars (Figure 4.) and receive a pair of rollers 'I8 which are held on the pins TIB `and II in any suitable manner., as by notters "19.

' The rollers v'I8 move laterally in between the bars Il and I8 and bear :against th-eruppersurface :of `the latter whenin operation.

It will be seen from Figure 1 'that the 'frame .II is laterally vrigid with :respect tothe tractor since it is connected vtherewith at widely spaced points, and it also will be observed that links 515 and 56` are approximately parallel .but 'con- I-t will be seen from Figure 4 that i verge forwardly, lines extended through the link members 55 and 56 meeting substantially along- .side rthe front wheel (not shown) of *the tracto-r. The links 55 and 56 are connected at their forward ends to the cross bars I'I and I3 of the laterally rigid frame, and at their rear ends to the xrearlof the tool frame 3 I, by virtue of which construction the tool unit 30 swings generally laterallyo'f the tractor about a virtual pivot disposed wel] toward the front of the tractor. This has the same effect as a long hitch, enabling the beet lifter to swing Vlaterally from one side of the row to the other as may be necessary if the row is crooked, or such construction may serve to accommodate -a-ny momentary lateral v'shifting of 'the tractor, as -mayloccur when steering the vsame down a row of beets.

Rol-ling A'colters Si are mounted on laterally s-vvingable colt-er brackets -52 4that are securely fixed, as by clamps 83, to the forward ends of the frame side bars 313 and 35. 1Each colter 8l is mounted for rotation lin la, .collter yoke that 'is connected by any suitable means 'to the lower 'end #of ithe lassociated colter :bracket '8-2. Since the acolters are xeddirectly to fthe latera'llyrshiftable fr-ame SSI which ,carries the abee't lifting tools 215, it 4will be seen that laterally .shifting movement of the ftool 'frame 4and the 'tools will .also cause a 'lateral shifting movement of the colters so that the latter are always .in the proper position to sever-overhanging tops and the like .in order to facilitate loosening the beets.

'The implement frame lil., carrying with it .the laterally .shiftazble tool frame 31, may be raised A'and lowered by suitable .mechanism .mounted on the tractor. Referring now more particularly ito Figure '2, a rock :shaft fIIlI is :Supported forzrocking movement in .a pair of :brackets liu-'2 (Figure 2.) and 103 (Figure .5.) which are secured vLfby abolts tilt to the upper end of the associated brackets 22 .and 23. AThe brackets 'm2 and 1523 extend upwardly and Arearwardly and .a pair of lifting .arms llli .and 1&9 .are secured to the ends of .the rock .shaft IUI. A pair of lifting chains vfiIfI .are connected .between the .outer rear ien-ds of the lifting .arms 'I5-8 and Still-l .and at their lower ends are connected fby :eye bolts II'2 (Figure B) to lthe cross members Il of the :draft frame I I. As best shown in Figure 5, :the outer vor rear end 'ofeach 'of the-arms 'flzl .and ii' is provided with a :narrow .slot M3 open-ing upwardly and formed so that any Aone of .the links of the associated llifting chain Alill may be disposed therein. By taking the link out of 'the slot 2I1Ii3 .and .disposing .fa-n- {other link therein, .the effective .length of 4the chain Ill 1I may be varied as desired.

An .arm Sill is fixed, .as by welding, to the intermediate portion 4of the vrock .shaft lIII and lat its lower end is pivot'ed to one 'end of -a hydraulic .piston :and cylinder unit ll, ithe :other end of `whfi'ch is pivote'da's at SI2-l to 'a Agenerally U -shaped Ab-nac'ke-t 122k. 'The-lower end-of the latter is bolted as at I23 (Figure 2), to the forward side of the right hand rear axle extension The rear Iend of the link I22 is bolted at |25 to the upper end of the left bracket IGS (Figure :5) v

From 'Figure 5 it will be noted .that the 'upper Aend of the bracket i153 is provided Withas'l'ot Iil in which the left end of the rock shaft FIillI is disposed. The upper vend of the .right hand bracket `I i12 is apertured, tand the pun-pose of providing an aperture in one :of the brackets and Ia slot in the other is to facilitate the vinstallal'ion rof the rock `shaft :Ifil in the brackets .|152 and 103 after the lifting arms :158 and :Iil and the cylinder arm II'I have been welded to the shaft IUI. In placing the rock shaft I| in position, the outer end is iirst disposed in the opening of the upper end of the right hand bracket |02, and then the left end of the rock shaft IUI is `passed into the slot |21. i The rock shaft IUI is normally` held in place since the weightof the tools and other parts vactingv thereon tends to press the rock shaft to lower end of the slot |21.

The Vhydraulic. unit IISreacts at I2| against the brace or bracket ||2,.and since the latter is bolted at |25 (Figure 5) to the upper` end of the left hand bracket IEiS, it will be seen that the forces involved when fluid is admitted to the cylinder under pressure form what may be termed 'a closed circuit; that is, the-bracket |22 transmits the lifting reaction to thebracket |03 substantially at or adjacent the point where the Vdriven member, namely, the rock shaft IGI, is carried. A fluid conduit |31 extends from the hydraulic cylinder unit I I9 to a valve structure V carried by` and forming a part of the tractor. Since thepresent invention is not particularly concerned with the details of the valve mechanism itself, the same has been illustrated only in outline. It will be seen that the valve mechanism includes a valve lever |32, and moving the latter into one position serves to direct fluid under pressure into the cylinder IIS while moving the lever |32 in the other direction serves to release fluid fro-rn the cylinder II9.` From Figure 2 it will be seen that when uid is directed into the cylinder Il-l the shaft Il is rocked in a clockwise direction, which acts through the arms itt and Ilt and the associated lifting chains III to raise the main frame Il and the implement unit itself about the axis defined by the pivot shaft 2|. Moving the valve lever |32 into the other position serves to permit the implement to lower. Movement of the latter in a lowered direction is limited by adjustable mechanism which includes an arm IS'I mounted on the rock shaft itl `and having a slot in the outer end, similar to the slot Il?, in the arm itil (Figure A chain Iii@ is disposed with one of its links in the slot in the outer end of the arm I|"I and the lower end of the chain |38 is anchored to a part on the tractor, such as the upper bolt |96 (Figure 2). Various 4links of the chain |38 may be disposed in the slot in the outer endof the arm itl whereby the lower limit of movement in the implement may be adjusted.

As best shown in Figure 1, I have shown my invention as embodied ina one row implement, and the provision of the L-shaped frame makes it possible to connect the implement to brackets 22 and 23, which are fixed to the right side of the main body or longitudinal axis of the tractor,'yet have the implement unit in proper position, spaced laterally from the center line of the tractor by a distance about equal to one-half.

the row spacing. It is customary when pulling beets with a tractor outt in which the tractor is of the tricycle three-wheel type to adjust one of the rear wheels so that it is disposed fairly close to the side of the tractor, accommodating a row of plants between the tractor wheel and the row being worked, and to adjust the other tractor wheel so that it spans two rows. This disposes the center line of thetractor to one side of the row being lifted while the disposition of one tractor wheel spanning two rows, vas just stated, results in centering the draft load midway between the rear tractor wheels. For,` this purpose, therefore, the provision-of Vthe L-shaped main Cil 'draft frame is of particular importance,v permitting the disposition of the lifting tools 45 in exactly the correct lateral position while accommodating a draft connection between the implement and the tractor at one side of the latter where there is more room to mount the attaching brackets and other parts, without requiring other brackets, braces or the like extending underneath the tractor or fastened `to the other side, as is shown in some prior art implements. i

In order to provide foridifferentrow widths, the pivot shaft 2|, which is'supportedforward of the rear axle 4 by the downwardly and forwardly extending brackets 22 and 23, is made of extended length, anda plurality of four collars |4I, |42, |43 and |44 are provided, each having a set screw by which the collar may be secured in laterally fixed position to the pivot shaft |2l.` For an average row spacing, theparts are placed as 'shown in Figure 1, with the collars |4| and hifi disposed in laterally outer positions, the rst `in contact with the forward end of the frame bar ment I0 laterally inwardly relative to the tractor,

the collars are so placed that the frame bars I2 and I3 are disposed inthe positions shown in Figure 7,- the pivot 'shaft 2| being shifted laterally inwardly, and the collars |4| and |43 being disposed against the forward ends of the frame bars I2 and I3, while the other collars H52 and |44 are disposed at opposite sides of the brackets 22 and 23, thus holding the implement in a laterally inwardposition. The implement may be moved to its `other position by shifting the pivot shaft laterally outwardly and placing the frame bars I2 and I3 laterally outwardly, respectively, of the brackets 22 and 23, in substantially the same manner they are as shown in Figure 7, laterally inwardly of the brackets 22 and 23.

The operation of the invention as described above is substantially as follows:

`By moving the valve lever |32 into a lowered position, the fluid in the cylinder H9 is released and the weight of the implement and the suck of the shoes 45 cause the latter to enter the ground, such as to the position shown in Figure 2. The tractor is then driven alo-ng the rows of beets, the rear tractor wheels spanning a total of three rows, the middle row being worked by beet lifting unit 30. Since the lifting shoes 45 and associated frame are connected to the main draft frame by approximately parallel links, the unit is free to swing laterally to conform to variations in the straightness of the row of beets beingpulled; likewise, variations in the position of the tractor relative to the row, as may occur when steering the tractor or for other reasons, are accommodated, the beet lifting unit swinging generally about a virtual pivo-t alongside the front end of the tractor. This provides a long easy swing so that the lifting unit is free to accommodate lateral variations of the beet row relative to the tractor, but nevertheless the lifting unit tends normally to return to a central position as shown in Figure 1. At the end of the row, the operator raises the valve |32, which causes the iiuid to be forced into the cylinder IIS. The extension of the piston in the cylinder serves to swing the arm II'I andthe pivot shaft |0| in a clockwise direction (Figure`2), exerting a lifting force through 6. A one-row been nfter comprising the ombi- 7 nation with a tractor of the tricycle `type having central front wheel means and wide spread rear wheel means including a rear axle, of a substantially L-shaped frame having its longitudinal portion connected 'with said rear axle at one side of the tractor and its transverse portion disposed laterally inwardly, and a beet lifting unit connected with said L-shaped frame s as to be disposed close to the line of travel of the tractor front wheel means at said one side of the tractor.

7. A one-row beet lifter comprising the combination with a tractor of the tricycle type having central front wheel means andwide spread rear wheel means including a rear axle, of a substantially L-shaped frame having its longitudinal portion connected with said rear axle at one side of the tractor and its transverse portion disposed laterally inwardly, a beet lifting unit, and means i including laterally swingable link means connecting said unit with said L-shaped frame so as tobe disposed close to the line of travel of the tractor front wheel means at said one side of the tractor.

8. A beet lifter comprising a supporting frame adapted to pass along a row of beets to be lifted, a beet lifting frame having plant-engaging lifting `means, means connecting said frames and accommodating lateral movement of said lifting frame relative to said supporting frame, and cooperating means carried by said frames for guiding the lifting frame in its lateral movement relative to the supporting frame..

9. An agricultural implement comprising a suppprting frame adapted to pas-salong a row of plants, a tool frame having tool` means, horizontally swingable, longitudinally extending link means connecting' the rear part of said tool frame with said supporting frame andI arranged to proi 11. An agricultural implement comprising means serving as a supporting frame, tool means y including a tool frame, generally horizontal lat-r erally swingable links connecting said frames, and colter means carried by said tool frame forward of said tool means and shiftable laterally relative to said supporting frame with said tool frame.

12.` An agricultural implement of the integral type adapted to be mounted on a tractoncom- `prising a bracket, means securing the bracket rigidly to the tractor, a frame pivoted to said bracket for generally verticalrmovement relative` to the tractor, a tool unit, and means securing Y said unit with said frame to swing vertically therewith `and to move laterally relative thereto.

13. A beet lifter for attachment to a tractor, comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to the rear axle of the tractor and having a pair of forwardly extending parts disposed in laterally spaced apart relation,a beet lifting unit including a pair of forwardly extending parts also disposed in laterally `spaced `apart relation, the

spacing corresponding to the spacing of said first mentioned forwardly extending parts, and `means pivoting the forwardly extending parts of said lifting unit to the forwardly extending parts of said bracket, said means4 including means accommodating the optional disposition of said lifting unit parts on one side or the other of said bracket parts, respectively, so as to vary the lateral position of the lifting unit relative to the tractor supported bracket.

14. In an agricultural implement, bracket means including a pair of apertured spaced apart f sections, an implement frame also including a plurality of apertured spaced apart sections, a`

pivot shaft removably secured in the apertures of said sections for connecting the implement frame Y to said bracket means, optionally on one side or the other of the latter to secure different positions of the implement frame and in a plurality of positions on at least one side of said bracket means, and means for securing the pivot shaft in different positions in the bracket means to accommodate different positions of the implement frame. i

15. An agricultural implement comprising means serving asa supporting frame, a tool unit, means connecting said tool unit with said supporting frame for lateral movement relative thereto, and cooperating means on said frame and said unit separate from said connecting means for guiding the latter in its lateral movement relative to the supporting frame.

16. A tractor mounted beet lifter of the integral type, comprising a lifter frame having beet lifting tool means, means for gauging the depth of operation of said tool means from the ltractor and accommodating generally lateral movement relative to the tractor, and draft transmitting means connecting said frame with the rearportion of the tractor and causing said lateral movement to take place about a virtual hitch point adjacent the front of the tractor.

117. An implement comprising a mobile frame, a ground working unit including e. generally horizontal, `longitudinally extending tool carrying frame, draft means mounted on said mobile frame andincluding a pair-of laterally swingable, longitudinally extending links pivotally connected to said tool carrying frame adjacent the rear end thereof on generally vertical axes, the forward end of said tool carrying frame disposed to bear upon said draft means and slide laterally upon said bearing. i

18. The combination dened in claim 17, further characterized in that said draft means includes transverse track means, and said tool carrying frame is provided with rollers at its forward end adapted to engage said track means as said tool carrying frame shifts laterally.

19. The combination defined in claim 17, further characterized in that said links are disposed in forwardly converging relation on lines intersecting adjacent the forward end of said mobile frame.

` CLARENCE T. RAsMUssEN.

.ROBERT D. GRIFF. 

